Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk II |
|
|---|---|
| Ajaw | |
Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk II's portrait in Stela 6
|
|
| King of Piedras Negras | |
| Reign | January 2, 687 - 729 |
| Predecessor | Itzam Kʼan Ahk I |
| Successor | Itzam Kʼan Ahk II |
| Born | 29 December 664 Piedras Negras |
| Died | 729 Piedras Negras |
| Consort | Lady K'atun Ajaw of Namaan |
| Issue | Lady Huntan Ahk |
| Father | Itzam Kʼan Ahk I |
| Mother | Lady White Bird |
| Religion | Maya religion |
| Signature |  |
Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk II (born December 29, 664) was a powerful ajaw (king) of Piedras Negras. This was an important Maya city located in what is now Guatemala. He ruled from January 2, 687, until 729.
We know a lot about Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk II because his monuments were studied by a famous historian named Tatiana Proskouriakoff. Her work helped us understand the history of many Maya kings.
Life of Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk II
Early Life and Family
Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk II was born on December 29, 664. His father was Itzam Kʼan Ahk I, and his mother was Lady White Bird. He was named after his grandfather, Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk I. His grandmother was Lady Bird Headdress.
Before he became king, his name was Kooj, which means "Puma." When he took the throne, he chose his grandfather's name as his royal name.
His Time as King
Before he became king, Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk II married Lady K'atun Ajaw of Namaan. They had a daughter named Lady Ju'ntan Ahk.
Even though Piedras Negras was not a huge city, it was very important in Classic Maya society. Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk II's rule was a time when the city created amazing art and traded many goods. For example, a mask from Piedras Negras was found far away in Chichen Itza! However, it seems the city might have lost some land during his reign.
Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk II recorded many important events. These included the anniversary of becoming king. He also celebrated special calendar events, like a "five-tuns lacking" event on December 29, 706. This was recorded on Stela 1 and Panel 15. He also celebrated a k'atun ending on December 3, 711, which was shown on stelae 3 and 8.
He showed respect for his father by holding a special burning ceremony 20 years after his father's burial. In 726, he captured a sajal, who was a local noble or leader, from the area of Itzamnaaj Bʼalam III. Like his father, Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk II ruled for more than 40 years.
The End of His Reign
We don't have clear records about how Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk II died. However, the next ruler was in power by November 11, 729. We know Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk II was alive for a wedding on June 28, 729, according to writings on some conch shells found in a burial at Piedras Negras. This means he must have passed away in that year.
The writings on the conch shells are a bit confusing about the end of his life. Since his only known child was a girl, there might have been questions about who would rule next. One idea is that near the end of his life, he tried to marry a new woman, possibly from Palenque, to secure the future of his family's rule. But he died before having another child.
Another idea is that the wedding described on the shells was for his daughter. She might have married Itzam Kʼan Ahk II, who became the next ruler. This kind of marriage would explain why the new king took power so quickly after Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk II's death. In other Maya cities, like Yaxchilan, it sometimes took many years to find a new ruler if there were problems with who should be king.
